Government allowed 13 independent journalists from both international and local media outlets to join a guided visit to Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township on December 20, according to the Ministry of Information’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Myo Myint Maung. The selected journalists were escorted on a three-day trip to the area from December 19 to 21 under full security, the notice said. But it did not mention which reporter or news organisation would be included.
“The Ministry of Information has been arranging the visit,” says Zaw Htay, spokesman of the President’s Office. “The military, police, and state government are collaborating on this trip.” He also added, “Because the journalists are going to an area where the attacks occurred, they will have full security”. Security forces that moved into Maungdaw in October to search for islamic militants who carried out the attacks, have previously closed the area off to reporters from non-government media organizations and international aid agencies.
